A whirlwind week

As the Democratic primary election nears, the war of words between the three men running for governor is intensifying; the field of candidates for lieutenant governor is narrowing; and there is an increasing focus on campaign cash being spent.

Here are just some of the political developments from recent days:

- State Sen. Creigh Deeds released a radio ad critical of  a radio spot from Terry McAuliffe's campaign that states his plan to ban payday lending in Virginia.

Both spots are airing in the Hampton Roads and Richmond markets. Deeds' radio ad, his first of the campaign, came the same week that his campaign confirmed it laid off some staffers in order to help fund a television commercial featuring the candidate.

- McAuliffe, meanwhile, released the latest television ad of this campaign, touting his work to rescue a financially stressed bank.

- Former Alexandria Del. Brian Moran, another Democrat in the field, has been hammering McAuliffe over statements the candidate's made, critiquing them on his campaign Web site. Moran also announced his "Silver Virginia" plan to aimed at protecting the interests of seniors and vulnerable adults in the state.

- Republican Bob McDonnell is also on television with an ad touting his experience in public life and another about his family. As the ads hit last week, McDonnell advanced a plan to help grow the economy by expanding access to college.

- Last week, Democrat Jon Bowerbank withdrew from the field of lieutenant governor candidates, leaving Mike Signer, a former deputy counselor to then-Gov. Mark Warner; and former state finance secretary Jody Wagner, a longtime South Hampton Roads resident, as the remaining two people in the June 9 primary election to decide the party nomination.

- Also last week, state election officials contacted three groups that have spent campaign cash in Virginia this year to inform them that they had not properly filed disclosure forms with the state.

That revelation came days after state election officials informed the Democratic Governors Association that it had not properly complied with Virginia's disclosure law.

That group had disclosed the $2.2 million it has spent to fund an anti-McDonnell effort in Virginia, but had not provided a complete list of its contributors

The DGA provided that information shortly after being notified of the oversight. State officials subsequently said disclosure forms filed by three other groups were not in compliance with the law and in need of being updated.

They include the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Republican State Leadership Committee and the Presidential Coalition.

State officials informed the groups they have 10 days to update their filings as required by law.

-- Julian Walker

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.